New guidelines would limit repeat visits; new sites also on tap

Not to dis Mickey Mouse, but Big Ten officials know their fans don't want to go to Orlando every year. Or Tampa. Or Houston.

There is one exception.

"Pasadena," Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said.

So to combat the bowl fatigue that affects coaches, players and customers, the Big Ten will adopt a new policy. Rather than allowing bowls to make selections with little input from the conference, they will have strict guidelines beginning with the 2014 season.

"Our goal is to keep the games fresh and create the best possible lineup," Commissioner Jim Delany said Wednesday during conference meetings in Chicago.

Delany said a bowl might have to take five different Big Ten teams over a six-year span. And the conference is poised to add new destinations such as San Diego (Holiday Bowl), New York (Pinstripe) and Nashville (Music City) — some with three Big Ten visits during a six-year span.

NU facilities: Northwestern AD Jim Phillips is well aware Illinois plans to spend $165 million to renovate the rechristened State Farm Center and DePaul wants a $300 million arena near McCormick Place.

"We're paying attention," he said. "No question we have to address Ryan Field and Welsh-Ryan Arena. But we have to stay true to our priorities."

That means moving forward with the lakefront facility that will benefit NU's entire student body — and be a boon to programs such as football and women's lacrosse.

Phillips said $70 million to $80 million of the $220 million project has been raised. He declined to put a timetable on the groundbreaking, saying it depends on other on-campus projects and the opinions of board of trustees members who will meet in June.

The facility is in the design phase, with the football program hoping it can open in the spring of 2015. The fall of 2015 could be more realistic.

Northwestern, meanwhile, has pumped some money into the basketball program, putting a new floor in the practice area at Welsh-Ryan. But Phillips believes the purple-splashed court will stay.

Extra points: Is expansion dead? "Dead is a strong word," Delany replied. But he said the conference is "inactive" on expansion and its focus is to integrate Maryland and Rutgers, which join in 2014. … Smith said he will not attempt to add a second Ohio State-Michigan basketball game next season but added, "We're not chicken." That's a nod to Michigan football coach Brady Hoke's line about Notre Dame. … Smith said Wisconsin AD Barry Alvarez would be "perfect" for the college football playoff selection committee, adding: "Whoever it is, get the flak jacket ready. This (four-team) playoff won't be a panacea. As (Big 12 Commissioner) Bob Bowlsby said, some years you could slide a sheet of paper between the (Nos.) 3, 4, 5 and 6 teams." … Phillips said dates with FCS foes might remain in play because of a "lack of inventory" of schools that would not require a home-and-home series. … Sign of the times: Michigan State AD Mark Hollis said when he asked some students why they didn't go to a home football game, the response was they couldn't send texts because it was raining.